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JudithShamian

Judith Shamian, PhD, RN, LLD (hon), FAAN
President, International Council or Nurses

Keynote Address: Unleashing Nurses’ Full Potential and Power Through Policy Competency

Dr. Shamian is President of the International Council of Nurses. She also serves as President Emeritus, immediate past President, and CEO of the Victorian Order of Nurses and past President of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). Previously, she held the position of Professor of Nursing at the University of Toronto and established the Office of Nursing Policy at Health Canada.

Dr. Shamian obtained her PhD degree from Case Western Reserve University, her master’s degree in Public Health from New York University, and her bachelor’s degree in Community Nursing from Concordia University in Montreal. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award, the Golden Jubilee Medal from the Governor General of Canada, and the CNA’s Centennial Award. Dr. Shamian is also an International Fellow with the American Academy of Nursing.

 


 

Robert G. Frank, PhD                                                                                                                                                                                                                President, The University of New Mexico

FrankPresident Robert G. Frank became the 21st president of The University of New Mexico in June 2012. Under his leadership, UNM has made significant advancements in the areas of student success, research, and economic development. During his tenure, the University has recorded school records in 3rd semester retention rates and 4-, 5-, and 6-year graduation rates. UNM has restructured its curriculum to increase timely graduation, including the elimination of all remedial education courses. Under his leadership, UNM established an Honors College and the Innovation Academy, and has worked to strengthen collaborations with New Mexico’s three National Laboratories. Further, he has spearheaded the development of Innovate ABQ, a university-led public private partnership to create an innovation district in the heart of Albuquerque, work that has garnered national attention for both its vision and execution.

President Frank served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Kent State University from 2007 to 2012 where he helped establish the College of Public Health and increased first year retention 4.5%. From 1995 – 2007, he was Dean of the College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida, where he also served as a professor in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology. At the University of Florida, he oversaw the establishment of the Public Health College, and the creation of four new doctoral programs, the Masters of Public Health and the Honors program. President Frank holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from The University of New Mexico.

President Frank is a Diplomat in Clinical Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is past president of the Division of Rehabilitation Psychology of the American Psychological Association and a Fellow in Rehabilitation Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Health Psychology. He formerly chaired the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, the Legislative Committee of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, and American Psychological Association’s Committee on Professional Continuing Education and it’s Board of Educational Affairs. Dr. Frank’s scholarship focuses on two areas: psychological adjustment to catastrophic injury and health policy.   He has edited five books and is the author of more than 40 book chapters and reviews and over 90 peer reviewed publications.

 


 

Scott Palmer, MA                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Former Communications Director, Oregon National Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals 

Scott PalmerScott Palmer has more than 20 years of experience in advanced communications, public relations, and persuasion training. Working in a wide range of industries, including health care, politics, labor unions, and cultural industries, Scott has a reputation for being both an extremely effective and entertaining presenter and trainer. Scott received his Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from the University of Oregon and his Master of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Speech Communications and Political Science from Oregon State University; he also studied for a PhD in Theatre, Film and Television Studies at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. During his college years, Scott was a nationally ranked public speaking competitor and a public speaking and debate coach, while developing an international reputation as a theatre director and adaptor of classical plays. After 6 years as the Director of Communications for the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), Scott left ONA to pursue his passion as a full-time Artistic Director for Bag&Baggage Productions, a professional theatre company in Hillsboro, Oregon. His skills in public speaking, audience analysis training, negotiation, and persuasion theory, combined with his love of theatre and performances, make Scott a dynamic and engaging speaker.